Don Jakeway was a paratrooper with the Army, and survived against long odds. His company started with 130 men, and by the end of the Normandy invasion it down to 39.
The D-Day invasion began on day before the beach invasion, with a dangerous attack by American paratroopers who were dropped behind enemy lines to soften up the German troops and to secure needed targets. If the sea assault failed, there would be no rescue for them.
Departing from the English coast, the 101st and 82nd U.S. Airborne Divisions were dropped on the Cherbourg peninsula. From that point, the 101st was to secure the western end behind and head off an eastern German advance. The 82nd, landing farther inland, was to seize the bridges and halt an advance from the west.
Heavy fog and German guns proved formidable challenges. The pilots were unable to drop the paratroopers precisely as planned.
The 101st Division suffered great losses. Only one sixth of the men reached their destination points. The first regiment of the 82nd Division fared better, but the second suffered heavy supply losses — much of the division was left without sufficient arms. Still, both divisions managed to form smaller improvised squads, and organized themselves to wage a fight. By 0430, the 82nd had captured the town of Ste-Mere-Eglise (Read more from American Experience)
Watch the video of Don Jakeway: (Thanks to Warren Motts and the Motts Military Museum for the use of locations)
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